Acupuncture Boulder News

Hello,
Welcome to the premier edition of Acupuncture Boulder News. I hope you're enjoying a fun and healthy summer. With this newsletter I aim to bring you timely and interesting news and other helpful items to enhance your health and wellbeing. If you know anyone else who may benefit from this information, please feel free to pass it along!

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 - AUGUST 2007

IN THIS ISSUE

Announcement: New Web Site Online

Recipe: Garlic Ginger Carrots and Parsnips

Article: Acupuncture for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Event: Oriental Medicine for a Healthy Pregnancy and Childbirth

Promotion: Receive a Complimentary Serenity Treatment

AcupunctureBoulder.com is Up and Running

As you may already know, my new website www.acupunctureboulder.com is now online. In addition to information about my practice, the site will contain helpful links, articles and information for health-minded individuals. Follow the link below and stop by regularly to see what's new!

This recipe is as delicious as it is quick and easy. It's from Eat Right for Your Blood Type, by Dr. Peter D'Adamo, and is beneficial for all blood types. Carrots are a great source of the antioxidant beta-carotene and they benefit the lungs, skin and digestive tract. Parsnips also benefit the digestion and contain silicon, which strengthens the connective tissues and aids calcium metabolism.

1 to 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

2 Carrots, sliced diagonally

2 Parsnips, sliced diagonally

6 Cloves of Garlic, crushed

1/2 to 1 inch piece of Fresh Ginger, minced

1/2 Cup (or more) Water

4 Tbsp. Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Salt

Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add carrots and parsnips and turn until coated. Add garlic and ginger, stir. Add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover skillet and cook 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender, adding water as needed. (Water should be absorbed at end of cooking.) Stir in cilantro right before removing from stove.

This makes a great side dish for just about any meal. Let me know how yours turns out!

Article: Acupuncture Helpful for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Studies have shown that acupuncture is very effective in breaking the cycle of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. I've had so much success in treating this condition that I wrote an article about it for the July issue of the Colorado Daily Women's magazine. Click on the link to read the article.

Many of you have heard me tout acupuncture's effectiveness for enhancing fertility. This Saturday I'll be at Pharmaca educating expectant parents about the benefits of acupuncture and herbal medicine for safely preparing for the birth of their baby. Oriental Medicine can reduce the risk of miscarriage, relieve morning sickness, swollen ankles and pelvic pain, prepare the body for labor, and can even be used as an alternative to chemical induction. It's an informal event, so stop by any time between 10am and 2pm!

Let's face it, even though it's summer we still have stress in our lives. Most of my patients experience some degree of relaxation as a wonderful side effect to whatever treatment they're receiving. But this treatment is specifically designed to take you into the stillness at the center of your soul through acupuncture, cranio-sacral work and guided meditation.

For the month of August I'm offering you a free sress-relieving Serenity Treatment for each new patient that you refer to me.

How does it work? It's easy--just refer someone to me, and as soon as they've had their new patient visit, my office will call you to schedule an appointment for your Serenity Treatment!

Remember, prospective patients are always welcome to call me for a no-obligation phone consultation so we can determine if acupuncture is the right treatment for their condition.

Hello,
Welcome to the second edition of Acupuncture Boulder News. If you found this in your bulk or junk mail folder, make sure to add Robin at AcupunctureBoulder.com to your address book so you won't have difficulty receiving future issues.

We are quickly heading into autumn, as evidenced by the cooler evenings here in Boulder. But green grass and leaves still abound, so make sure you take advantage and get outside for a walk, hike or bike ride. Have a picnic in the park.

Breathe deeply. Go to the Boulder Going Local Festival or Eat Local Celebration, which are described below. Try out the yummy recipe for baked pears. And, as always, if you know anyone else who may benefit from the information in this newsletter, please feel free to pass it along!

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 - SEPTEMBER 2007

IN THIS ISSUE

Announcement: Number One on Citysearch!

Recipe: Baked Pears with Ginger and Cardamom

Book Recommendation: If the Buddha Came to Dinner

Research Report: Acupuncture for Neck Pain

Events: Renaissance of Local – Lyons, Sept. 28 - 30

Boulder Eat Local Celebration - Saturday, Sept. 15

Promotion: Receive a Complimentary Serenity Treatment

Number One on Citysearch!

Thanks to you, my wonderful patients, my listing is now number one (after the sponsored listings) on Citysearch.com, the online guide to finding the best services and shopping near you. If you haven’t used Citysearch, give it a try. It’s got reviews for restaurants, clubs and the kinds of services we all use every day from acupuncture and auto repair to travel planning and veterinarians. If you would like to add a review to my listing, just follow the link below. Thank you for your support!

This dish comes from this month’s recommended book, If the Buddha Came to Dinner. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast or dessert, I love it because it’s so simple, quick and easy. It’s also unbelievably sweet, spicy and delicious without any added sugar. Wherever I take this dessert, it’s always devoured immediately!

2 – 3 ripe pears, cored and sliced (I prefer using an all-in-one corer/slicer available at most grocery or kitchen supply stores – see photo below)

1 TBSP freshly grated ginger (1/2 to 1 tsp powdered will do in a pinch)

1 tsp ground cardamom

1 TBSP dried currants (available in the bulk section at Whole Foods)

water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the sliced pears in an ovenproof dish (a glass pie dish works beautifully), and coat them with the ginger, cardamom and currants. Carefully add just enough water to cover the bottom of the dish. Bake for 30 – 40 minutes or until the pears are soft.

Variation : Use apples instead of pears, dried cranberries or cherries instead of currants, or cinnamon instead of cardamom. Experiment to your heart’s delight, and inform me of your findings!

Book Recommendation: If the Buddha Came to Dinner

I am pleased to recommend this marvelous book by Hale Sofia Schatz at this time of preparing for autumn. It's a great time to turn inward and ask ourselves how we are nourishing ourselves on all levels-- physically, spiritually and emotionally. Schatz explores these questions and gives wonderful suggestions on how to feed ourselves with the care and attention we all deserve. She includes a whole section of recipes which demonstrate that eating seasonally and healthfully can be easy and delectable, while reminding us of the transformational power of the present moment.

Click on the graphic above to order the book from the Boulder Bookstore, or call my favorite used-books store, Bookworm, at 3175 28th Street, (303) 449-3765, to see if they have a copy.

Research Report: Acupuncture for Neck Pain

A Norwegian study published in 2004 found that people who received acupuncture for neck pain reported decreased pain even three years after ceasing treatment.

Researchers at the University of Oslo gave 10 standard acupuncture treatments to 12 office workers who complained of chronic neck and shoulder pain.

A second group of 12 workers received 10 “sham” treatments in which needles were placed in the incorrect locations.

The standard acupuncture group reported a 70 percent decrease in pain intensity during the treatment period. Three years after having acupuncture, they reported that pain intensity was still lessened by 50 percent.

The “sham” acupuncture group reported only a slight dip in pain intensity during treatment, but even greater pain than before treatment three years later.

Just more evidence that it’s important to take care of ourselves as soon as possible. Make your health and well being a priority—-today!

Event: A Renaissance of Local Community Festival

A RENAISSANCE OF LOCAL! is a county-wide community festival and expo, providing opportunities for involvement for local citizens, organizations, and businesses. The entire event will be an uplifting celebration of local food, local energy, local economy, local culture and local community, serving as an energizing focus for the BOULDER COUNTY GOING LOCAL! Campaign for building community self-sufficiency and strengthening the local economy through partnership, collaboration and engagement.

Live music, great food from local growers and chefs, special activities for children and families, in a spirited community-oriented atmosphere. The Zero Waste event will be powered where possible with energy produced on-site (e.g., solar, wind, bio-diesel generators), along with demonstrations of renewable energy alternatives. Includes a juried art show of Colorado artists.

A “SLOW FOOD” FEAST will feature the finest Colorado/locally-grown food paired with organic and biodynamic wines, served community-style on what may be the world's longest banquet table.

Check out the Boulder Eat Local Celebration and see what's growing in your own backyard. There'll be local chef demonstrations and tastings as well as speakers and demonstrations on canning and food storage, slow food, beekeeping, culinary and community supported agriculture (CSA).

Hello,
Welcome to the third edition of Acupuncture Boulder News. Yes, I meant to say SOUP-er in the subject line for this letter. Autumn is upon us and there is a chill in the air (well—at night, at least)! When the leaves begin to fall, I always start craving comforting, nourishing soups. So I'm including a recipe for one of my favorites: Quinoa and Kale Soup. Not yet familiar with Quinoa? Not to worry, I've included an introduction to this amazingly healthy food as well as an exposé on soda-pop, and a report on the effectiveness of acupuncture for back pain.

Cold and Flu Season is here, so consider getting an immune- boosting acupuncture treatment to shore-up your defenses. Read all the way to the end of the letter to find out how you can receive a complimentary Immune Boost Treatment!

As I've said before, if you know anyone else who may benefit from the information in this newsletter, please feel free to pass it along!

And if you found this in your bulk or junk mail folder, make sure to add Robin at AcupunctureBoulder.com to your address book so you won't have difficulty receiving future issues.

Celebrate: National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day - October 24

Research Report: Acupuncture for Back Pain

Healthy Food Focus: Quinoa

Recipe: Quinoa and Kale Soup

Consumer Alert: How Soda-Pop is Harmful to Your Health

Promotion: Complimentary Immune Boost Treatment

Celebrate: National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day - October 24

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is observed October 24 to increase public awareness of the progress, promise and benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

An estimated 36% of U.S. adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to a survey by the National Institutes of Health. Among the common CAM practices identified by the survey were acupuncture, acupressure, herbal medicine, tai chi and qi gong.

A 2002 survey found that approximately one in ten adults had received acupuncture at least one time. Half of the individuals surveyed were extremely satisfied or very satisfied with their treatment.

In addition, 21 percent of the total respondents reported that they had utilized some other form of Oriental medicine other than acupuncture, such as herbs or shiatsu bodywork.

Percentages have certainly risen in the five years since this report was published. These studies and others like them clearly demonstrate that acupuncture and Oriental medicine are becoming common practice in today's health care system—and that’s reason to celebrate!

Research Report: Acupuncture for Back Pain

In the largest experiment on acupuncture for back pain to date, German researchers have found that “sham”, or fake, acupuncture works nearly as well as the real thing for low back pain, and either kind of acupuncture performs much better than conventional medical care.

In the study, more than 1,100 patients were randomly assigned to receive acupuncture, sham acupuncture or conventional therapy. (For the sham acupuncture, needles were inserted, but not as deeply as for the real thing. The sham acupuncture also did not insert needles in traditional acupuncture points on the body, and the needles were not manually moved and rotated.)

In the study, the conventional treatment included many methods: painkillers, injections, physical therapy, massage, heat therapy or other treatments. Like the acupuncture patients, the patients getting usual care received about 10 sessions of 30 minutes each.

After six months, patients answered questions about pain and functional ability. Almost half the patients treated with acupuncture needles felt relief that lasted months. In contrast, only about a quarter of the patients receiving medications and other Western medical treatments felt better.

“Patients experienced not only reduced pain intensity, but also reported improvements in the disability that often results from back pain and therefore in their quality of life.”

Healthy Food Focus: Quinoa

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is a native "grain" (actually a seed) that has been a food staple of indigenous peoples of the Andes mountains for centuries. It has been credited with contributing to the Peruvian Indians’ hardiness and endurance.

Quinoa is high in protein, calcium, and iron. Of all the whole grains, it is the most nutritious and is the only one to contain the essential amino acid lysine. Lysine is a necessary building block for all protein in the body. It plays a major role in calcium absorption; building muscle protein; recovering from injuries; and in the body's production of hormones, enzymes, and antibodies.

Dr. Duane Johnson, the New Crops Agronomist at CSU has said, “If I had to choose one food to survive on, quinoa would be the best.” Most people who are allergic to other grains do not have problems with quinoa.

When cooked, it has a similar consistency to barley or cous cous. It can be eaten as a hot cereal for breakfast, served with fruit or maple syrup—or, better yet, with agave nectar. It can be used in almost any side dish in which you would use other grains—pilafs and salads such as tabouli, etc., or to stuff peppers or squash.

How do you cook it?

Like rice, it is important to rinse quinoa very well before cooking, unless the quinoa you buy is marked “pre-washed,” such as the Ancient Harvest brand. For rinsing, a fine-mesh strainer is helpful, but not necessary.

Place 1 cup of rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Stir once, turn down the heat to low, cover and simmer for approximately 15-20 minutes until the water is absorbed.

You can tell the quinoa is thoroughly cooked when it becomes translucent and the crescent-shaped germ separates and becomes white. It looks like a little tail. After the quinoa has been cooked, remove it from the heat and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes.

Recipe: Quinoa and Kale Soup

This recipe came to me through a friend who is an amazing cook. It makes a complete and hearty lunch on its own, or add a simple baked acorn squash as a side dish for a perfect Fall dinner!

1 cup quinoa

4 red potatoes

7 cloves garlic

1 bunch kale (If you aren't familiar with it, kale is a green leafy vegetable you can find in the produce section near the lettuce.)

½ to 1 cup crumbled goat feta cheese

6 to 8 cups water

2 to 3 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp cumin

1 pinch red pepper flakes

1 tsp curry powder

½ tsp cinnamon

1 pinch of ground cloves

1 tsp salt

Fresh ground pepper to taste

Cook quinoa (as directed above).

While the quinoa is cooking, dice the potatoes with skins on into small cubes. Peel and finely dice the garlic (or skip this step and use a garlic press to squeeze the garlic directly into heated oil).

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot. Fry the garlic, cumin, red pepper and curry powder on medium-high heat until the garlic just begins to brown (about 30 seconds to 1 minute).

Add the diced potatoes and continue frying until the potatoes begin to stick to the pan (several minutes).

Add the water and bring to a boil.

Turn heat down and simmer until the potatoes are tender (almost falling apart).

Add the kale, tearing it into small pieces and removing stems. Stir. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir in the cooked quinoa. Turn off the heat and stir in the cinnamon, cloves, salt and pepper.

Add the crumbled feta to individual bowls just before serving so it can be omitted for those with a dairy intolerance. However, goat feta is better tolerated by most people than cow's milk feta.

Consumer Alert: Soda-Pop is Harmful to Your Health

With all of the commercials featuring happy, hip people quenching their thirst with beverages from brightly-colored cans, it’s easy to believe that sodas are just harmless “soft drinks”. But the truth is quite a different story. Aside from directly promoting diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease and obesity, sodas also contain high amounts of phosphoric acid, a substance that leaches calcium from bones, causing a loss of bone mineral density, contributing to skeletal fragility and osteoporosis.

Regular soda is full of sugar, in the form of high-fructose corn syrup—linked to diabetes, especially in children—and is packed with empty calories. The amount of sugar in one soda can also suppress the immune system for up to five hours.

Diet sodas are just as bad or worse, since they contain chemical sweeteners linked to neurological disorders and learning disabilities. Nearly half of the studies provided to the FDA regarding the artificial sweetener Aspartame indicate serious health concerns. But with big money behind it, it continues to receive the stamp of approval.

Results from the Framingham Heart Study indicate that even diet sodas increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. They found that drinking just one soda per day (diet or regular) led to a 50 percent higher risk of metabolic syndrome (a cluster of cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors), a 31 percent greater risk of becoming obese, a 30 percent higher risk of developing increased waist circumference, a 25 percent higher risk of developing high blood triglycerides and high blood sugar, and a 32 percent greater risk of low “good” cholesterol levels.

What’s more, the intense sweetness of artificial sweeteners causes a tendency to crave even more sweets.

What are the alternatives? If it’s the caffeine and a touch of sweetness you crave, try brewing a cup of green tea that you can sweeten with agave nectar. Agave enters the bloodstream much more slowly than sugar or honey—so you avoid the energy spike and crash—is lower in calories, and is naturally delicious!

For those who don’t want caffeine but crave a tasty drink, try Celestial Seasoning’s Bengal Spice tea—it’s full of flavor with cinnamon, ginger, cloves and a hint of vanilla—yummy and slightly sweet all on its own!

Promotion: Complimentary Immune Boost Treatment

It’s that time of year again—cold and flu season is here. The bugs are going around and you don’t want to catch them! A strong immune system is your best defense. Acupuncture has been shown to boost immune cell counts, strengthening your natural ability to fight off invading pathogens.

This month you can receive a complimentary acupuncture treatment specifically designed to boost your immunity. Just refer a friend, relative, co-worker or acquaintance to me, and as soon as they've had their new patient visit, my office will call you to schedule an appointment for your Immune Boost Treatment! (A $70 value.)

Remember, prospective patients are always welcome to call me for a no-obligation phone consultation to answer any questions they may have, and to determine if acupuncture is the right treatment for their condition.

That's it for this issue of Acupuncture Boulder News. If you received this newsletter as a forward and would like to subscribe, just click on the following link:

Hello,
Welcome to the fourth edition of Acupuncture Boulder News. Thanksgiving is just a week away, and I’ve been thinking about how much I have to appreciate. Making a list of things we’re thankful for—even the smallest, simplest things—is a wonderful way to take a break from what’s worrying us, and in just a short time can turn a bad day around. Making such a list on a regular basis, even just in your head before falling asleep, can be very effective in drawing more of what you want into your life. Try it for a week and see what changes occur!

In this issue—just in time for the holidays—I’m bringing you a report on the efficacy of acupuncture for tension headaches, as well as an article I wrote on stress and the immune system. There’s also a recipe for pumpkin squares, and information on a Stop Smoking Clinic I’ll be offering in January 2008. If you or someone you know will be making a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking, this is the perfect solution for success.

Read to the end for my monthly referral promotion. You can choose from either a complimentary Serenity or Immune Boost Treatment.

As always, if you know anyone else who may benefit from the information in this newsletter, please feel free to pass it along!

And if you found this in your bulk or junk mail folder, make sure to add Robin at AcupunctureBoulder.com to your address book so you won't have difficulty receiving future issues.

Smoke Free in ‘08: How You or Someone you Love Can Stop Smoking Permanently!

Promotion: Complimentary Immune Boost or Serenity Treatment

Quote of the Month: Gratitude

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

–Melodie Beattie, author

Research Report: Acupuncture for Tension Headaches

German researchers have found that acupuncture can cut tension headache frequency by 50 percent, according to a report in The British Medical Journal.

In a randomized, controlled clinical trial, 270 patients who had similarly severe tension headaches were divided into groups. During the eight-week study, one group received acupuncture and another group received no treatment.

Those receiving acupuncture reported seven fewer days of headaches—a rate nearly half that of the no treatment group. When the no treatment group received acupuncture following the main study period, they also reported significantly fewer headache days.

The improvements continued for months after the treatments were concluded, rising slightly as time went on.

Article: Holiday Stress and Your Immune System

The holidays are upon us, and though they are traditionally thought of as a festive, joyful time, for many people the added demands of the season can result in increased stress. Add to this the start of Cold and Flu Season, and there’s a good chance of getting sick and missing out on some of the holiday fun. Click on the magazine cover to the left to read the article I wrote for this month’s Colorado Daily Women’s Magazine on how to manage your stress and stay healthy this holiday season.

Recipe: Pumpkin Squares

It’s been a hectic month, so I got the following recipe from www.healthy-eating-made-easy.com.The site has some good recipes that emphasize fresh, non-processed ingredients. Most are low on sugar, fat and salt. Well, this one has some sugar, and even butter—but it’s the holidays! And if you don’t have time to roll out pie dough, these squares can be a quick and yummy alternative. I’ve altered the recipe (with my changes in parentheses) to be non-dairy and non-wheat. Enjoy!

1 ½ cups porridge oats

1 ¼ cups (spelt or brown rice) flour

3/4 cup soft brown sugar

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking soda

3/4 cup softened butter (or ghee, clarified butter that has milk solids removed; or non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening, such as from Spectrum Naturals. Both are available at health food stores.)

2 cups pumpkin puree (organic canned pumpkin is good)

2/3 cup (rice) milk

1/3 cup soft brown sugar

1 egg

1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground cloves

(Or 2 ½ teaspoons of pre-combined Pumpkin Pie Spice—saves $ if you don’t have all those spices on hand!)

Pour over the base and then top with the remaining crumble mixture. Bake for another 25-30 minutes, until set. Cut into squares or bars, and leave to cool.

Feel free to stop by the office before Thanksgiving to pick up some "Ease Digestion" formula and/or a Pancreatic Enzyme supplement. Both can help you avoid the discomfort that comes with holiday feasting. Better yet--take smaller portions and chew slowly. You'll still enjoy the meal, and feel better afterward!

Be Smoke-Free in ‘08: How You, or Someone you Love,
Can Stop Smoking Permanently!

2008 is just around the corner. Its beginning holds a powerful opportunity to start fresh and make transformational choices. Of the myriad New Year’s Resolutions a person can make, to stop smoking is the one with the potential to not only change, but also to save, the most lives.

Acupuncture can greatly reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and hunger. Education, new skills and support have been shown to increase success by 30%.

In January I will be offering a Stop Smoking Clinic that will combine ear acupuncture, guided meditation and education in a supportive group setting. The six-week program is designed to make your process as comfortable and successful as possible.

It will meet twice weekly (Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings) from January 2nd to the 19th, and then Saturday mornings January 26th to February 9th. Cost for the program is $200 if registered by December 15th, $225 thereafter. Space is limited to 12 participants and is open to both women and men.

Promotion: Complimentary Immune Boost or Serenity Treatment

This month when you refer a new patient to me you can have your choice of either a stress-relieving Serenity Treatment or an Immune Boost Treatment.

Acupuncture has been shown to activate the parasympathetic side of the nervous system, producing deep relaxation. It can also boost immune cell counts, strengthening your natural ability to fight off those nasty bugs that are going around.

Just refer someone to me, and as soon as they've had their new patient visit, my office will call you to schedule an appointment for your complimentary treatment! (A $70 value.)

Remember, prospective patients are always welcome to call me for a no-obligation phone consultation to answer any questions they may have, and to determine if acupuncture is the right treatment for their condition.

Traditional American holiday meals often include some version of a green bean casserole. While delicious, they tend to use canned green beans and are loaded with cheese. The following recipe is a healthy, flavorful and easy alternative. It's from Paul Pitchford's Healing with Whole Foods, a wonderful book with tons of useful information on nutrition according to the Asian healing tradition as well as lots of great recipes. Use this link to see and/or buy the book from the Boulder Bookstore.

2 1/2 pounds of fresh green beans

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 teaspoon ground dried ginger)

2 tsp. olive or safflower oil

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

3 Tbsp. slivered, roasted almonds

4 Tbsp. cilantro or parsley, minced

Snap ends off beans and snap into 2-inch pieces

Combine green beans with salt and ginger

Sautee in olive or safflower oil

Do not overcook, beans should have a slight crunch

Toss with lemon juice

Sprinkle with almonds and cilantro or parsley

Serves 4 to 6

Be Smoke-Free in ‘08: How You, or Someone you Love,
Can Stop Smoking Permanently!

To help you or a loved one achieve that New Year's Resolution I'm offering a Stop Smoking Clinic that combines ear acupuncture, guided meditation and education in a supportive group setting. The 8-session, six-week program is designed to make the quitting process comfortable and successful.

Acupuncture reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and hunger. Education, new skills and support have been shown to increase quitting success by 30 percent.

Complimentary Immune Boost or Serenity Treatment

As a thank you for all of your wonderful referrals, when you refer a new patient to me you can have your choice of either a stress-relieving Serenity Treatment or an Immune Boost Treatment.

Acupuncture has been shown to activate the parasympathetic side of the nervous system, producing deep relaxation. It can also boost immune cell counts, strengthening your natural ability to fight off those nasty bugs that are going around.

Just refer someone to me, and as soon as they've had their new patient visit, my office will call you to schedule an appointment for your complimentary treatment! (A $70 value.)

Remember, prospective patients are always welcome to call me for a no-obligation phone consultation to answer any questions they may have, and to determine if acupuncture is the right treatment for their condition.

Thanks again for reading. Watch for my web site's new look--coming soon!

Have a fabulous Holiday Season! Robin L. Schiesser, L.Ac.

Acupuncture Boulder News - January 2008

Happy New Year, Welcome to the sixth edition of Acupuncture Boulder News. It has a new look, as does my website (more on that later). I hope you had fun holidays and are looking forward to a year full of prosperity, health and fullfilment. This month I'm bringing you information about Chinese New Year, a recipe for healing chicken soup, and a report on treating fibromyalgia with acupuncture, as well as continuing gift certificate specials and referral promotions. Feel free to forward this letter to anyone whom you feel may benefit from its content. And for new subscribers, if you found this in your bulk or junk folder, please add robin at acupunctureboulder to your address book to avoid missing future issues.

Just in time for the new year, my website has a new look. Its design is simple, clean, and easy to read. All of the old information is there, including easy access to past newsletters (including recipes), as well as a new page about acupuncture and fertility. Another exciting addition is the option to purchase gift certificates directly through the site using a credit card or paypal account. Check out the changes at www.acupunctureboulder.com!

Chinese New Year 2008 The Year of the Rat

February 7, 2008 marks the beginning of The Year of the Rat. Unlike the western stereotype of a disease-carrying pest, the Rat is recognized in Asian culture as being clever, industrious and curious. Were you born in '37, '49, '61, '73, '85 or '97? If so, you were probably born under the sign of the Rat. (The lunar calendar differs a bit, with their new year falling somewhere between the last week of January and the third week of February.) The Rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac, and those born under its sign tend to be ambitious, creative, hardworking, charming and sociable. The Rat individual is very observant, quick to take action, and popular in social circles. He can adapt easily to different environments, is very instinctive and relies on instinct and cleverness to succeed.

A Rat year is a time of plenty, bringing abundance and good fortune. In this auspicious year, some of Rat's prosperity can influence everyone, regardless of one's birth animal. It is an excellent time to start a business, begin a new job, get married, launch a new product or make a fresh start. Rat loves the pack, so it is also a time for socializing, entertaining and enjoying ourselves!

Recipe: Chicken Soup Savor the healing power of a delicious time-honored remedy.

Chicken soup has long been regarded as a remedy for the common cold. But why? According to Irwin Ziment, MD, pulmonary specialist and professor at the UCLA School of Medicine, it contains agents similar to those in modern cold medicines. For example, cysteine, an amino acid released from chicken in cooking, chemically resembles the drug acetylcysteine, prescribed for bronchitis and other respiratory problems. Pungent ingredients often added to chicken soup, such as garlic, cayenne pepper and curry spices, all are ancient treatments for respiratory diseases. They work the same way as expectorant drugs and cough medicines, thinning mucus and making breathing easier. The more garlic and hot spices added to chicken soup, Ziment says, the better the soup will be at clearing your lungs.

Here's my recipe for chicken soup. It's actually more a method than a recipe. You can change the vegetables and spices to suit your taste. I'll just let you know that I've made this soup twice this winter for my boyfriend when he showed signs of catching a cold, and both times it was very effective. His preferred version includes a small, minced habanero pepper. If you use one—be careful not to touch the juice with your bare fingers!

The June 2007 edition of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings reported on a study that found acupuncture helpful in treating the fatigue and anxiety commonly experienced by fibromyalgia patients. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points—places on the body where slight pressure causes pain. In the double-blind study, Mayo Clinic doctors gave 25 fibromyalgia patients acupuncture, and another group of 25 patients "sham" acupuncture (needles placed at incorrect points). Both groups received six treatments during the three-week study. The patients' answers to the Figromyaliga Impact Questionnaire revealed that those who received real acupuncture treatments reported less fatigue and anxiety one month after treatment than did the "sham" group. The study used only two acupuncturists and examined only patients who reported more severe symptoms, offering better experimental control.

Thank you for reading, and for sharing this with others. Check acupunctureboulder.com for new additions, which will be coming soon!

Hello! Welcome to the seventh edition of Acupuncture Boulder News. Spring is almost here and change is in the air. In this issue you can read about the new office I'll be moving to April 1st as well as an exciting addition to my website that makes it quick and easy to find out when I'm available for appointments—24 hours a day! There are also pre-grand-opening specials, a new recipe, and a new referral promotion. Feel free to forward this letter to anyone whom you feel may benefit from its content. If you are a new subscriber please add robin at acupunctureboulder dot com to your address book to avoid future issues being delivered to your bulk or junk folder. Thank you!

New Office Location April 1stMy beautiful, peaceful new space is just across Valmont

I'm moving to new offices starting April 1st, but don’t worry—it’s just across Valmont Road from my current office. It’s easy to find, and has plenty of parking.

New Online Appointment Calendar See my availability for appointments on the web 24/7

Now you can see what appointments I have available anytime—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—by going to the Appointment Calendar page of my website and using the Calendar link, which takes you to my Microsoft Office Online calendar.

Spaces that are not marked “busy” can be requested for appointments. When you see a spot you’d like to reserve, just use the Request form on the Appointment Calendar page of my site to send a request. I’ll respond within 2 hours to requests sent between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, and as soon as possible outside of those hours.

If you are a Microsoft Outlook user, you can subscribe to my calendar by following the "Subscribe to Internet Calendar" link just above my Microsoft Office Online calendar.

Of course, you can still phone to make an appointment, but due to the challenges of making phone calls with the few minutes between apppointments I can respond to email more frequently. Requests are honored in the order they are received.

Recipe: Sesame-Encrusted Whitefish

Make a delicious, healthy meal in less than 30 minutes

When it comes to “What’s for dinner?” I want to make it quick, easy, delicious and healthy. Inexpensive is also a bonus! So when frozen wild Alaskan cod was on sale I bought some and put together the following from what I had on hand. You can use any whitefish for the recipe. Check out the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Guide to see what fish are more safe in regards to pollutants such as mercury and PCBs, as well as which are overfished or caught using environmentally destructive methods.

The lemon dill sauce was created by my fitness trainer, Sarah Eley of Eley Wellness.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Rub olive oil in bottom of baking dish. Place filets in dish and sprinkle liberally with ground cumin. Cover filets with a layer of sesame seeds. Bake for 10 to 25 minutes depending on thickness of filets. Fish should flake apart with a fork when done. Be careful not to overcook.

While fish is cooking: In a small bowl pour about 2 teaspoons of olive oil per filet. Cut lemon(s) in half, squeeze juice into oil and whisk until blended. Add more juice to taste. Stir in dill and salt to taste.

When fish is done, put it on a plate, spoon on the sauce, and garnish with lemon slices and sprigs of dill.

This dish goes very well with a side of steamed, sautéed or grilled asparagus. My favorite method is lightly sautéed in a little olive oil with plenty of fresh garlic.

A second easy side for this meal is curried rice. I make mine the lazy way—just by adding a couple of teaspoons of curry powder to the water before I stir and cover the rice for cooking!

Referral Promotion: $15 off Your Next Treatment Help someone else's health and get savings for yourself

This month I would like to thank you for your referrals by taking $15 off your next treatment. When the referral has had their new patient visit, I will enter the credit in your file for your next treatment. Thank you again for your confidence in my services. Your referrals are the highest compliment I can receive.

A reminder for the women of We2e: if you have a Gift Certificate for an Immune Boost or Serenity Treatment, be sure to schedule your appointment before the certificate expires on April 30th! For those of you who don't know what We2e is, it's a unique networking group focused on supporting entrepreneurial Boulder women. Find out more about the group and the New You Expo they are hosting at the St. Julien on May 4th to benefit the YWCA at http://www.we2e.biz/

Questions

Click here to e-mail your questions and to find out if acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can alleviate your condition.

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."